Month: August 2020
St. Mary’s Parish Church News
MARY’S PARISH CHURCH NEWS
There is some ‘good news’ to bring to you since the last church report in ‘What’s On’. Churches can now be opened for private prayer. This is subject to social distancing being observed and many other regulations being put in place to keep everyone as safe as possible, with hand sanitising, and the pews in the nave clearly marked as to where you can sit.
At a recent Zoom meeting of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) Vicar Jon presented his Chairman’s report and he has kindly agreed for it to be included here for wider readership within the Wenvoe community.
“Since the last PCC meeting, places of worship have now been placed in to the Red Phase by the Welsh Government. St Mary’s Church opened for the first time for private prayer and reflection between 4.00pm and 6.00pm on Tuesday 7th July. It has been decided that in the first instance we will open just once a week and monitor the number of visitors to see if there is a demand to open it again at another point, which would probably be on Saturday morning. This would allow at least 72hours from the church building being closed and then opening again. This is to fall in line with Welsh Government Guidelines and avoid us having to do a thorough clean between sessions rather than a “tidy up” clean that we will do ensuring surfaces and pews are cleaned from where people may have sat and touched things. I would like to thank those who have helped me prepare the church to be opened and also those who have volunteered to steward during the opening hours. Four people came to St Mary’s on Tuesday 7th July for prayer, and it was wonderful to welcome them. This number coincides with the numbers that have entered Sully Church and churches of my colleagues. So it is my current intention to remain with opening once a week at present.
It is important to note that the church is open for private prayer and reflection only. The Church in Wales is now allowing weddings and funerals in church under very tight regulations. It is unlikely that there will be any weddings now in 2020. However, there may be occasions that a family would like to use the church for a limited number of people for a funeral. Before we can offer this as an option, I have to submit a Risk Assessment which needs to be agreed with the Archdeacon. I am currently in the process of doing this.
Also, at the time of writing we are still in the Red Phase, unlike places of worship in England which is a phase ahead of places of worship in Wales. As a result, you may have heard of several news items of churches now opening for limited acts of worship to restricted numbers of congregation. Below are the details as issued by the Welsh Government for the next phase – the amber phase.
I would also like to thank our Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary and Reader Emeritus and all members of the PCC for your continued service to the Church and for all you are doing to keep St Mary’s functioning and holding its presence in our community during these difficult times”
The current situation is that we are now in the “amber” phase and the possibility of holding services in church was discussed at the PCC meeting. The maximum number of people we have in St. Mary’s, to allow for 2 metre “social distancing” is eight, and places would have to be reserved in advance. The meeting decided that this is not a practical proposition and for the moment no further action will be taken.
Weddings and funerals can now be held in church, with the same stringent regulations of numbers attending, no singing allowed, the bride to walk down the aisle by herself, hand sanitising during the exchange of rings etc. It is anticipated that there will be no weddings in St. Mary’s Wenvoe this year, and any funerals will be arranged as and when the family concerned and Jon will have discussed the arrangements.
Keep safe during these trying times, continue to be kind and considerate to neighbours and those who are elderly in the community and above all KEEP WASHING THOSE HANDS. God Bless.
Parry Edwards
St Mary’s Church Appeal
What’s On Annual Subscription
Back To The Future
Back To The Future
Well at least for the time being, Covid 19 seems to be in retreat. During lockdown we have enjoyed walks around the village, often discovering paths and trails we never imagined existed. At last we can now visit our local pubs again and venture further afield. It is great to see that things are opening up around the Vale again.
The excellent Visit the Vale website provides detailed information and a range of impressive brochures and mini guides covering ‘what’s occurring.’
From the site you can order a free copy of the Coast Countryside & Culture Guide, which showcases the best places to visit and features some stunning photography of the area. There are also some free and downloadable town guides, including those for Barry Island, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth.
The Llantwit Major Guide includes a self-guided walk based on the town’s Blue Plaques, taking in historic buildings such as St Illtud’s Church and the Town Hall. You can end your walk with refreshments at the 16th century Old Swan Inn. During the Civil War period the innkeeper, Edward Maddocks, struck brass tokens, gaining the house a reputation as a mint. Monthly manorial courts were sometimes held there. In the 1930s when it was an inn, celebrities including the famous American owner of St Donats William Randolph Hearst and Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain visited. The Visitor Centre in the Town Hall (check opening times) provides information on places to visit, events and activities. Trains run hourly to and from Llantwit Major to Barry and Cardiff. Platforms at the station are accessible for anyone with mobility challenges.
The Barry Guide highlights a range of activities many of you may not be aware of. There is a self-guided Gavin and Stacey Walking Tour and the 6 mile Barry Town Trail. The latter can be started at any point and walked in sections. It links Barry Island, Barry Waterfront and Barry Town with places of interest highlighted along the trail. Copies of the trail leaflet are available from the tourism department at the Vale of Glamorgan Council in Barry. Tel: (01446) 704867 E-mail: tourism@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
The Cowbridge Guide includes details of the Iolo Morganwg Circular Walk (6.5 miles). This celebrates the famous and colourful 18th century Welsh poet and antiquarian, while taking in the heart of historic Cowbridge, surrounding villages and woodland. An A5 leaflet, with pull out OS Map and walk instructions, is available from the Bear Hotel or Costa Coffee on the High Street.
Warren Mill Farm Park near Pendoylan (open) is included, with its large variety of miniature, rare and unusual farm animals, colourful waterfowl and a new family of wallabies. The farm is situated around a natural 4-acre coarse lake, well stocked with carp, perch, roach and bream. It can be found 1 mile north of the A48 near Bonvilston. (CF71 7UJ).
We can look forward then to enjoying what is left of the Summer and to supporting our local businesses, especially those in the hospitality and leisure sectors.